This information must be provided by law (Census of Agriculture)

The CBC and CalgaryGrit bring up a good point, if the census long form was too intrusive for minister Tony Clement, surely the mandatory agriculture census is too.

Here are some of the questions farmers have to answer or else go to jail:

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19, and must be provided by law.
Step 10, Question 78: TOTAL area of CHRISTMAS TREES grown for sale 
STEP 14,  Indicate all PRACTICES and LAND FEATURES on this operation
STEP 19,  Was MANURE used or produced on this operation in 2010?
STEP 21  Are any MUSHROOMS grown on this operation for sale?
Step 27, 132. In 2010, how many chicks or other poultry were hatched?

Step 34, 197. Is the Internet used for this farm business?

More by me on the now optional long form in the 2011 census:

-Tony Clement Debates Statistics via Twitter

-Optional Long Census Will Reduce Productivity in Canada

-Doctors and Planners agree